Reviews:

Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s The Price, starring Mark Ruffalo, Tony Shalhoub, Jessica Hecht and Danny DeVito opened to critics last week at at the American Airlines Theatre. The production recieved mixed reviews, with most reviewers regarding the play as one of Miller’s lesser works – NY Times: “[The] more faithful style emphasizes the fine roles for actors but doesn’t make a strong case for the play itself. Miller keeps the argument more or less evenhanded…yet if the debate is involving, it’s not especially consequential.” The majority of critics praised the comic performance of Danny DeVito in his Broadway debut – NY Daily News: “DeVito emerges as the show’s MVP…[he] makes an irresistible meal out of his part.” Time Out NY: “The play winds up in the pocket of DeVito…the revival’s energy flags without him. Only when he’s onstage does The Price seem right.” Read more review excerpts and purchase discount tickets.

News and Notes:

Justin Trudeau attended the March 15 evening performance of Broadway’s Come From Away, marking the first time the Canadian Prime Minister saw the show about a small Newfoundland community coming together to host thousands of stranded passengers after planes were grounded during the September 11 attacks. Joining Trudeau for the performance at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre – in addition to several Canadian ambassadors, including former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and longtime Gander Mayor Claude Elliott – was Ivanka Trump. The pairing signified an attempted bridge between the U.S. and Canada as Trudeau aims to maintain a relationship with the U.S. in the wake of the Trump administration’s dividing policies. More details here.

Trump Budget Plan Cuts Funding for NEA

President Trump’s proposed budget, unveiled last week, calls for the elimination of federal funding to several arts and humanities organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would be cut to zero under the proposal, and the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities would be eliminated entirely, the first time any president has proposed such a measure. More details here.

The stage adaptation of the beloved Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day had its first preview last Thursday night at the August Wilson Theatre, but the show had to be halted due to technical difficulties in the middle of Act I. However, in true “the show must go on” spirit, star Andy Karl and the rest of the production’s cast stayed out on stage and treated the audience to a concert-style performance of the musical’s songs. Audience members were given free tickets to the preview as part of a promotion and were given free drinks after the stage malfunction. The cast then continued the songs from Act I, producers said, and performed five songs from Act II. More details here.